Two candidates have filed to run for seats on the Blair Oaks Board of Education on the April 4 ballot. There will be three vacancies available - the seats of Matt Fifer, Peggy Luebbert and Tim Van Ronzelen.
So far, Paul Mudd and Nicki Russell have filed. Mudd filed Tuesday and Russell the next day.
Mudd is a 1982 graduate of Monroe City R-1 High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and master's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Central Missouri. He has worked in federal law enforcement for 27 years - the past 19 with the United States Probation Office.
He relocated to the Blair Oaks district from Blue Springs in 2002. Four of his children have attended the Blair Oaks district, with his youngest child set to graduate from high school this spring. Over the years, Mudd has volunteered as a coach and mentor for football, baseball, basketball, softball, wrestling, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
"My only purpose for seeking this honorable position is based on my commitment and interest for all of our children in this community and to stay active and to continue to serve my community. I only want to continue to preserve the great traditions and academic excellence already established by the board members that have preceded me," Mudd said in a news release.
Russell lives in Osage Bend with her husband and three children. She has been in the Blair Oaks district for nine years, and she currently is chief auditor for the Missouri State Employees Retirement System.
"I am responsible for providing reasonable assurance that the internal controls in place are adequate to mitigate risks and to ensure that processes are effective and efficient for an $8 billion pension system," she said in a news release.
Russell has a master of public of affairs degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Central Missouri. She is a certified internal auditor and certified public accountant.
"There are some big decisions facing our district as the student population continues to grow and the need for classrooms becomes more apparent. That will require someone with commitment to the ongoing success of our district and its families," she said.
"As a board member, it would be my duty to represent the interests of the district and also for ensuring the district goals are accomplished efficiently and effectively."
Russell is a parent adviser for the Blair Oaks schools counseling team and a parent meal coordinator for eighth-grade girls' away basketball games. She has been involved with Immanuel Lutheran Church - currently as a funeral food committee member and in the past as a Sunday school teacher - and various other volunteer positions.
She and her husband's three children attend Blair Oaks schools and are involved in 4-H and outdoor sports.
Filing for the school board election will close Jan. 17.